Welcome to Healthy Communities Initiative

The way our communities are designed and built directly affects health outcomes such as obesity, heart disease, asthma, stress, and traffic-related injuries. Because of this, planning, land use, local sectors, and public health must work hand-in-hand to ensure that development decisions promote well-being. 

One important tool is the General Plan — the primary land use policy document for California communities. General Plans can guide development in ways that improve safety, encourage active transportation, expand access to resources, and reduce health risks. The planning process itself also provides an opportunity for local governments and residents to work together toward healthier, more resilient communities (How to Create and Implement Healthy General Plans). 

In addition to General Plans, long-term improvements can be achieved through Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change strategies. Instead of addressing health one person at a time, PSE strategies shape the conditions in which people live, work, and spend time. Examples include policies that promote walkable neighborhoods, systems that expand access to care, or environmental designs that reduce exposure to pollution and extreme heat. 

By integrating health into planning documents and pairing them with sustainable PSE strategies, communities can create environments that promote easier health choices and living. This approach ensures that any city or town can still build the foundations of a healthy community.